The Hummingbird Haven: A Symphony of Movement and Colour
Co-designed with Yvonne Price, our 2025 border celebrates the relationship between plants from the Lamiaceae family and hummingbirds. The design features a selection of brightly coloured, nectar rich orange and red blooms that have adapted to attract hummingbird pollinators, commonly found in the Americas, but unknown in the UK.
Plants are chosen that attract these birds by providing nectar-rich flowers, shelter, and nesting materials such as downy leaves and grass heads. Iridescent foliage and swaying grasses evoke the hummingbirds’ eye-catching plumage and acrobatic flight. The oval shape and curves of the bed are inspired by their elegant flight patterns.
With the help of Master Origami Artist Taro Yaguchi, we were able to bring life-size hummingbirds to our border. Each hummingbird was individually designed and positioned to showcase the flight pattern and delicate nature of the birds. Additionally, we were thrilled to have Nicola Davies, zoologist, children's author of the book 'Hummingbird” and BBC presenter, provide scientific information about hummingbirds, their habitat and their unique visual properties.
Our border garnered extensive media attention at the show, including BBC Gardeners' World and the Royal Horticultural list of top 10 plants of interest to see at the show.
